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Dickerson Heads H-Back Position
Photo - TE Dorin Dickerson
Dorin Dickerson #2 - 6’1” 225 lbs. - Pittsburgh - Sp. 4.45 - Rating 80
Mobile senior tight end has been one of the best hybrid performers in the nation over recent seasons. Dorin is a good athlete who has played on both offense and defense at running back and linebacker, in addition to the tight end spot. He is an ideal fit for the H-back role with excellent movement skills, including the separation speed and quickness to get open and the ability to catch the ball consistently. He is a fine receiver and a good weapon who can also line up on the outside at receiver, fullback and H-back, in addition to the tight end spot to give his club one of the most versatile pass catchers in this draft class. He is a mobile athlete with nice receiving skills, including hands, footwork and COD skills that will earn him pro playing time as both an H-back and tight end. He is a competitive hardworking athlete who struggled to settle into a position due to his rare versatility that lead to several positional changes. As a receiver, he is a good pass catcher who has natural hands and fine movement skills to get off the line and into his routes. He has good footwork that allows him to separate in coverage and get open consistently to provide a sure target. He catches the ball away from his body and has the body control to adjust nicely and is capable of going over the middle to make the tough catch. He gets into his routes nicely and moves well with the ability to fight off the jam and sit into holes in coverage. He has the speed to be a huge factor as a vertical threat and has just begun to touch the surface of that talent. Over his late career, he developed a good sense of coverage and gives a strong effort to get open and will compete for the ball in a crowd. Throughout his career, he displayed good run after the catch ability that allowed him to make big plays. He shows fine running skills and the ability to get open in the red zone and scored 10 TDs over his final season. Over his career, he averaged over 12 yards per catch, a high number for the position. As a blocker, he is not a powerful inline performer, but is quick off the snap and will get his hands on an opponent with good positioning. He can wall off a defender and will work to sustain relying on his good footwork, but he lacks the power to get consistent movement. He is not a physical player and his blocking grade as an inline TE is subpar and probably limits hi to the H-back role initially. He needs to add more muscle to his average frame and show better hand technique usage.
The Numbers: As a senior, he caught 49 passes for 529 yards with 10 TDs and a 10.8 yard average that earned him Big East honors. As a junior, he caught 13 passes for 174 yards with 2 TDs and a 12.8 yard average that earned him Big East honors. At the NFL Combine, he came in at 226 lbs. and just over 6.1”. He ran 4.40 and 4.45 times and did 24 reps. He also had a 43.5” VL and a 10’5” BJ plus very impressive agility and positional drills. His speed will draw comparisons to the Jets’ Dustin Keller, though he is 20 lbs. lighter than the NFL performer.
The Skinny: Solid addition with the talent, LOD and playmaking ability to be a fine H-back role performer. He is a fluid athlete with good receiving talent to help immediately. He will probably be over drafted off his 4.4 speed number that will earn him a 2nd round selection, but may never be more than a role performer despite playing at a high skill level in that area. Good prospect with the physical tools to win a #2 TE role and become a good role player. Type with the skill set to flourish in systems like the Colts, Chargers and Patriots.
Draft Projection: 3rd Round